Birmingham V Derby at St Andrews Stadium : Match Preview

08 March 2013 11:01

Captain Steven Caldwell will be assessed ahead of Birmingham's home clash against Derby but fellow defender Mitch Hancox has been ruled out.

Centre-back Caldwell battled through illness to start last weekend's 5-2 defeat at Hull before coming off in the 37th minute and duly missed Tuesday's 1-1 draw at home to Blackpool, with the Scot returning to training for the first time on Friday.

Left-back Hancox sustained a hamstring injury against the Seasiders which saw his involvement cut short in the second half and he is now sidelined for three weeks.

Boss Lee Clark said: "It was a blow when young Mitchell had to come off with a tight hamstring. It's a bit of a nightmare for us, you just get things going the way you want them to and you get a setback."

Spanish defender Pablo remains sidelined through injury while leading scorer Marlon King has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ongoing knee problem.

Midfielders Keith Fahey and Darren Ambrose could be involved.

Derby hope to have Craig Bryson fit for the trip.

Bryson missed the 1-1 draw at npower Championship leaders Cardiff on Tuesday night with a groin injury and the midfielder will continue to be monitored ahead of the weekend.

The Rams' other injury problems do not look like clearing up in time for the St Andrew's clash, though.

Jamie Ward was absent in the Welsh capital after a hamstring problem forced him off during the home defeat to Crystal Palace last Friday. The diminutive forward could be back in the squad when Leicester visit Pride Park on March 16.

John Brayford was an ever-present in Nigel Clough's team until a hamstring injury ruled him out against Cardiff. The extent of the problem is not yet known but the right-back could be looking at several weeks on the sidelines.

Fellow defenders James O'Connor (knee), Kieron Freeman (ankle) and Mark O'Brien (knee) are not ready to return, while no comeback date has been put on teenage midfielder Will Hughes (groin).